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Sunday, September 20, 2009

Christian Pumpkins

Some Christian parents do not believe that Halloween is an appropriate holiday for their kids to participate in. Instead of celebrating "Halloween," many Christian families opt for "Fall Festivals" (which usually include reinterpretations of typical Halloween activities). If you want to avoid every appearance of evil during the month of October, but still want your kids to have fun with pumpkins, it's totally possible.

Jesus-O-Lanterns

The scary and sinister look of a jack-o-lantern does not usually admonish the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But, if you get an appropriate stencil you can create a Jesus-O-Lantern. This craft will require the help of adults, but the end result will be much more God-honoring than a gruesome face would be. The Son of Man on a pumpkin should not beckon any demonic forces onto your front porch.

Pumpkin Soteriology

If you can't find a stencil of Jesus, you can still put a holy spin on pumpkin carving. First off, make the face smiley. What will really make this craft Christian-themed is the story that will go along with the carving process.Talk about the pumpkin as a metaphor for a human being. Explain that there are all sorts of yucky things on the inside (just like sin). As you pull out the innards, talk about how Jesus does the same thing for our soul when he is accepted as Lord and Savior (washing the soul clean of sin). Now put a candle into the pumpkin, this represents the light of Jesus that resides within every Christian. Of course, the pumpkin should be smiling now!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

Pumpkin patches are fun for families, but are also perfect date spots for Christian teens. The end result of a trip to a pumpkin patch does not have to be a satanic looking jack-o-lantern. The simple fun of a hayride and picking out a pretty pumpkin will be an adequate way to celebrate the fall season. When you come home with your new pumpkin, you can either use it to make pumpkin pie or you can paint it (just be sensitive to the Spirit's leading as to how you should decorate the pumpkin).